John Howard lauds the Queen's 'proper' handling of monarchy referendum

Australia's former prime minister, John Howard, has revealed details of his close working relationship with Buckingham Palace during the run-up to Australia's referendum on the monarchy following his appointment to the Order of Merit.

The Queen and John Howard visit the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in 2003Photo: SIMON WALKER

By Jonathan Pearlman in Sydney

12:47PM GMT 02 Jan 2012

Mr Howards said he was "honoured" by his appointment to the Queen's Order of Merit but would not "presume to speculate" whether it was a reward for his staunch support for the monarchy.

Mr Howard, the country's second-longest serving leader, said he was "touched" to be inducted into the order.

Sir Robert Menzies, the longest-serving prime minister and a political hero of Mr Howard's, was made a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in 1963.

"It is the first time this has been given to an Australian political figure," Mr Howard said. "I think it is a mark of her tremendous respect for this country."

Mr Howard, who supported the monarchy during a 1999 referendum on whether Australia should become a republic, said he and the Queen "have got to know each other very well" and he always visits her during trips to London.

He said he had never hidden his strong support for the monarchy and praised the Queen for her "absolutely proper" response to the referendum.

"It was realised both by the palace and by my office and me that this was an important event in the history of the relations between the two countries," he said.

"Her position was the very correct one - that as a totally independent country, it was entirely a matter for Australia and Australians - but she would have, I'm sure, been disappointed if the referendum had gone the other way."

Mr Howard, who was prime minister from 1996 to 2007, said he was "surprised and very honoured" when he was called by the Queen's private secretary 10 days ago to offer the award.

"It is the first time this has been given to an Australian political figure and I think it is a mark of her tremendous respect for this country," he said.

Eight other Australians have been appointed to the order since it was founded by King Edward VII in 1902.